Camera Advice ASAP!!!

[slowngreen]

My current camera is a HP 6mp camera, wich I've used the crap out of and love it but its passed its prime and is hard to see the screen from all the scraches and so on...So...

I'm looking at a couple different ones. I take mostly still shots but I do take vid now and then too.

Wich is better for the price?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kodak-C190-Easy...wItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item1e596b43f0

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kodak-EasyShare...wItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item439b4920ee

And would this one be worth spending over $100 more???

http://cgi.ebay.com/KODAK-Z980-EASY...wItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item2a0323ce7c

Is this one as good as the first two? Its only $99

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fujifilm-FINEPI...wItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item439bdac2d0

 

[robmob]

I like a camera I can fit in my pocket so the 2nd and 4th ones would be my choice.

For $50 less the 4th would would probably win out since I don't see much difference between the 2.

Go to Amazon.com and find the models so you can read the reviews.

 

[slowngreen]

Ok, thanks Rob. I like the cheaper one automatically lol.

 

[h8z2luze]

I dont like kodak and I'm cheap so i pick #4! lol I have messed with that camera in the store and it seemed to be pretty nice. I almost bought it actually but decided I wanted a mp3 player instead.

 

[RC Addict]

I LOVE my Kodak but I prefer the SLR-type chassis to the pocket cameras. That being said, get the best you can get for the money. 10+ MP is impressive but a good 10x or better (optical, NOT digital) zoom is where you want to spend your money IMHO. I still use my 5MP Kodak--the 10x zoom makes up for the lack of resolution. Again JMHO.

If it were me I would go #3. The Z980 is a bad a$$ camera for the money. That is what I paid for my 5MP three years ago. 10X optical zoom. The specs speak for themselves!!!

 

[neobart]

I look for lens size before megapixels. 12mp is great but if the lens is the size of an ant's head, it does no good having a high-res sensor chip.

 

[SMaxxin]

I have an older Kodak and I like it, it's only downfall is that it uses two AA batteries...DON"T buy the one that eats two AA batteries, buy one with the rechargeable battery. Like RC Addict said find one with a good optical zoom! My Kodak easy share has a 3x optical zoom then goes to 10x digital zoom, it's hard to take a good pic while using the digital zoom.

 

[neobart]

If you can disable digital zoom that would be a good idea. Photo editing software can do the same as digital zoom, only better.

 

[frickenjoey]

I just have a hard time with the point and click cameras. I have just got so used to a SLR camera (Canon 40D). The speed I can take pictures is great. But I understand not everyone wants to lug one around. It does get heavy. I might go with #3 though.

 

[slowngreen]

I never ended up buying one, I bought new axle housing for my crawler instead lol...

BUT,

my father is looking at getting this video camera for my moms big gift, expensive yes, but she's been wanting one for along time...

So my question, our question is, since this one says "dvd" does that mean that it records striaght onto dvd's, no need to use a computer?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/609294-REG/Sony_DCR_DVD650E_DCR_DVD650_DVD_Handycam_PAL_.html

 

[bigjay]

Yes, but

WARNING: This is a "PAL" product and CANNOT be used in the USA. It is designed for use with video products built to European TV standards. For use in the USA please choose NTSC.

 

[olds97_lss]

If you click on the "Features", it lays it out pretty good for you:

Hybrid Recording to DVD or Memory Stick Media
Record video and stills to DVD or Memory Stick PRO Duo media. Recording to DVD allows for instant viewing on your TV via a compatible DVD or Blu-ray Disc player, while recording to Memory Stick media makes for easy transfer of data to compatible PCs and printers. You can also copy the footage you captured on DVD to the Memory Stick. Compatible DVD formats include DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R DL.

If you ever swing back around and are looking for a p&s camera, I have a Panasonic Lumix 8MP that I really like. Takes 30fps vid with sound and has plenty of choices in the menus to do what you need. I Really like the rapid shot photo's for those cool action shots with RC's. Then I make gifs out of them. I've had a 3MP HP and a 4MP Canon, both p&s cameras and this one blows them away in features and quality. Granted, it's quite a bit newer and I bought both of those when they were $200+ cameras... The only sucky thing about this one is that it records vids in MOV format... which is tough to edit with anything good that's free that I've found. The software they include will let you convert it to MPEG2, but it degrades it a bit.

When I was shopping for this one, all I was looking for was 30fps for vids at a decent resolution and that it used AA batteries. This had both. The quick shot ability was just a bonus. I paid $150 for it at www.jr.com along with a high speed 4G memory card. High speed required for the 30fps, 15fps with a standard card.

This one was $200 when I bought mine last year:
http://www.jr.com/panasonic/pe/PAN_DMCLZ10K/

Basically the same camera, but a 10MP.

EDIT:
With bigjay's note, it looks like this is the NTSC version:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...DVD850_DCR_DVD850_DVD_Handycam_Camcorder.html

 

[slowngreen]

Thanks Olds! I just wasn't sure....And when I get back in the market for a p&s for my self I'll keep that in mind.


On bigjays note....and olds...does that mean the 650 wont work like we'd want? We were actually looking at the 650 at shopko but they didnt have the 850 olds linked to....


Ok, finally I realize whats going on lol. I found a 650 on the net that is the right video....not pal. Thanks guys.

 

[olds97_lss]

Sorry about that. Figured the 850 was the NTSC one as all the specs looked very similar except for the format.

 

[slowngreen]

I'm guessing since we'll be getting the 650 from shopko, its gotta be the right video format...right?

 

[bigjay]

What ever you get just make sure you get the NTSC version and not the PAL. There will be both versions of most new cameras. If you buy it locally it will be the NTSC.